A Christian woman mourns the death of a relative who was killed in a suicide bombing at the All Saints church on Sept. 24 in Peshawar, Pakistan. We are reminded of persecuted followers of Christ around the world. In Kenya, Syria, Egypt, Sudan . . . We pray:

Lord God, revealed in the Christ as the One whose foolishness is wiser than men and whose weakness is stronger than men:Help those who suffer for the sake of truth; to find Your strength in their weakness, to see your glory in what is despised, to feel Your presence in what is desolate.

Help them understand that in Your gentleness there is power, that in Your grace there is strength, that in Your forgiveness there is life.

Relieve them from torture and pain, from strain of the emotions, from temptation, danger, and agony of soul.

Use their suffering for the conversion of those who torment them, for the strengthening of those who love them, for the welfare of Your people everywhere.

Keep them in Your steadfast love in Christ, our Lord, for His sake. Amen.